Gunreference1
09-04-2010, 10:24 PM
Iraq Veteran Stripped of Right To Bear Arms
Jared Broyles Reporter
5:48 PM CDT, September 3, 2010
http://www.kfsm.com/videobeta/7318f25a-85e7-45f5-a1a7-8c66033edaa0/News/Iraq-Veteran-Stripped-Of-His-2nd-Amendmend-Rights
Sgt. Wayne Irelan re-enlisted in the Army National Guard after September 11th.
He was severely injured in Iraq and awarded the Purple Heart. But now his second amendment rights have been taken away.
"I really feel betrayed," Sgt. Irelan told 5NEWS.
A year ago the Irelan's began receiving a small stipend from Veterans Affairs because Lana had to take over the family's finances.
"How many husbands do you know in America that pay the bills? There's not very many," Lana Irelan told 5NEWS.
The V.A. declared Wayne Irelan incompetent and now his right to own a gun is gone.
"It's wrong. Laws need to be changed. They need to look at individuals and not stereotype them as some sort of mad man," Sgt. Irelan said.
Irelan has post traumatic stress disorder from the Iraq war, but his wife says he has never been violent. Lana Irelan told 5NEWS his diagnosis is not a legitimate reason for his gun rights to be taken away.
"I was there when they gave him his purple heart for fighting for that right to bear arms, and they are stripping it away," Lana said, her eyes tearing up.
The couple didn't know Wayne's gun rights had been terminated until they went to get a gun out of pawn. Days later Wayne got a letter from the Arkansas State Police saying his concealed carry permit had been revoked. The ATF has told the Irelans that they could go to jail if a firearm is found in their home.
The Irelans say they will fight not only for Wayne's rights but for veterans and all Americans to ensure their constitutional rights.
Although not yet familiar with the Irelans' situation, Congressman John Boozman called this an injustice and promised to look into it.
"I'm very upset and will do all I can do to make sure that people with PTSD diagnosis will continue to enjoy their second amendment rights," Boozman told 5NEWS Friday afternoon.
The Irelan's have filed an appeal with the V.A. and vow to fight. Lana Irelan says she will do whatever it takes within the law to get Sgt. Irelan's gun rights restored--from contacting congressmen to telling their story via local and national media.
http://www.kfsm.com/news/kfsm-news-rv-iraq-veteran-stripped-of-second-amendment-rights,0,1708919.story
Steve
Jared Broyles Reporter
5:48 PM CDT, September 3, 2010
http://www.kfsm.com/videobeta/7318f25a-85e7-45f5-a1a7-8c66033edaa0/News/Iraq-Veteran-Stripped-Of-His-2nd-Amendmend-Rights
Sgt. Wayne Irelan re-enlisted in the Army National Guard after September 11th.
He was severely injured in Iraq and awarded the Purple Heart. But now his second amendment rights have been taken away.
"I really feel betrayed," Sgt. Irelan told 5NEWS.
A year ago the Irelan's began receiving a small stipend from Veterans Affairs because Lana had to take over the family's finances.
"How many husbands do you know in America that pay the bills? There's not very many," Lana Irelan told 5NEWS.
The V.A. declared Wayne Irelan incompetent and now his right to own a gun is gone.
"It's wrong. Laws need to be changed. They need to look at individuals and not stereotype them as some sort of mad man," Sgt. Irelan said.
Irelan has post traumatic stress disorder from the Iraq war, but his wife says he has never been violent. Lana Irelan told 5NEWS his diagnosis is not a legitimate reason for his gun rights to be taken away.
"I was there when they gave him his purple heart for fighting for that right to bear arms, and they are stripping it away," Lana said, her eyes tearing up.
The couple didn't know Wayne's gun rights had been terminated until they went to get a gun out of pawn. Days later Wayne got a letter from the Arkansas State Police saying his concealed carry permit had been revoked. The ATF has told the Irelans that they could go to jail if a firearm is found in their home.
The Irelans say they will fight not only for Wayne's rights but for veterans and all Americans to ensure their constitutional rights.
Although not yet familiar with the Irelans' situation, Congressman John Boozman called this an injustice and promised to look into it.
"I'm very upset and will do all I can do to make sure that people with PTSD diagnosis will continue to enjoy their second amendment rights," Boozman told 5NEWS Friday afternoon.
The Irelan's have filed an appeal with the V.A. and vow to fight. Lana Irelan says she will do whatever it takes within the law to get Sgt. Irelan's gun rights restored--from contacting congressmen to telling their story via local and national media.
http://www.kfsm.com/news/kfsm-news-rv-iraq-veteran-stripped-of-second-amendment-rights,0,1708919.story
Steve